The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has rubbished claims that an individual successfully broke into Pollsmoor Correctional Facility over a two-year period to access free education and vocational training.
An article from Facebook read:" A man from Cape Town has been reported to have broken into Pollsmoor Maximum Prison to access free education and hang out with his friends who are inmates. The 32-year-old man has been doing this for two full years without being noticed.
LIES
DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo emphasised that the whole story was fabricated.
"We categorically state that this story is entirely fictitious and does not reflect reality in any way. Pollsmoor Correctional Centre, like all correctional facilities in South Africa, operates under stringent security protocols designed to prevent unauthorised entry and exit."
Nxumalo added that the notion that an individual could repeatedly access a correctional centre undetected is not only implausible but also undermines the integrity of the correctional system and the dedication of our officials.
THERE ARE PROCESSES
Nxumalo explained that for any person to be admitted into a correctional facility, a J7 form (warrant of detention) must be submitted for processing.
"This form serves as the legal authorisation for the Department to detain an individual until their next court appearance. Under no circumstances can a person be admitted without this document, as doing so would constitute illegal detention.
While the Department remains committed to rehabilitation through education and skills development, these programmes are specifically designed to equip offenders with the tools to reintegrate into society upon release-not as an alternative education system for the general public," he said.
He added:"We urge the public to exercise caution and verify information before sharing misleading content that may cause unnecessary confusion or alarm. The security of correctional facilities is a matter of national importance, and fabricating or trivializing security breaches is both irresponsible and unhelpful."
